Where to get bulb auger / drill bit?

thos

Hi all,
I've got 700 bulbs to plant, so looking for an auger drill bit. Any ideas where I can get them? Are they common enough to get in builders merchants or are they more specialised? I'm North County Dublin if there is anywhere of note nearby.

Just to clarify to an auger bit for use in standard drill, not a full petrol machine I'm looking for!

Thanks,
Tom

Discodog

I have only ever seen them online. This one is £200 :eek:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tanaka-Planting-2-Inch-24-Inch-745204/dp/B00QDQ9XU8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1475326843&sr=8-4&keywords=bulb+planting+auger

One for £16 here:

http://www.crocus.co.uk/product/_/bulb-planting-auger/classid.2000026704/

thos

Ended up buying on Amazon.com in US and getting them shipped over, bought two sizes(should have gotten another size in between) and gave them a go today. Very nice. Don't work well with battery drill as it tends to be too fast, throws soil around too much and doesn't have the torque for any stuck stones. Using in a proper drill gives a nice slow speed with good torque.
Made quick work for 150 bulbs this afternoon.

https://www.amazon.com/Jisco-JL24-4-Inch-24-Inch-Length/dp/B000LNTO8A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475337729&sr=8-1&keywords=Auger+jisco

Discodog

thos wrote: »

Ended up buying on Amazon.com in US and getting them shipped over, bought two sizes(should have gotten another size in between) and gave them a go today. Very nice. Don't work well with battery drill as it tends to be too fast, throws soil around too much and doesn't have the torque for any stuck stones. Using in a proper drill gives a nice slow speed with good torque.
Made quick work for 150 bulbs this afternoon.

https://www.amazon.com/Jisco-JL24-4-Inch-24-Inch-Length/dp/B000LNTO8A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475337729&sr=8-1&keywords=Auger+jisco

That was quick. You only posted a few days ago. What cordless drill did you try ? My Makita has a vari speed trigger.

thos

Yeah, Amazon Global Priority Shipping, 48hrs US to Dublin, cost me $30, but I was impatient, and still impressed with the service.

Drill is Black and Decker 18v (in the pic). It can do slow, but even less power, so would just click out on anything difficult.

Discodog

I will be planting around Galway - everywhere is difficult. Might need the extension lead & my sds drill That cheaper supplier is out of stock until the winter & they claim to be bulb specialists.

They say to doo deeper holes in a couple of stages lifting the soil out each time.

I guess that ideally they would be good with a bit extender so you don't have to bend too much

thos

The screw of the auger tended to pull the small drill into the ground without lifting the soil. I found it was easier to hold the bigger drill with both hands and control the depth so that it was lifting the soil out and not just drilling in.
The smaller auger leaves a very nice clean hole, perfect for dropping tulips into. The bigger one tended to collapse a little, but still easier to drop daffodils with the back of the trowel.
Will see next Feb out they turn out.
Good luck with yours.